The Premier League legends singled out the Chelsea star who caused ‘Manchester City problems all day’.
Timo Werner was the man who stood out in the eyes of Alan Shearer and Ashley Cole in Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Manchester City.
Thomas Tuchel’s decision to start the misfiring German in Saturday’s semi-final raised a few eyebrows. To be fair, though, Werner impressed to help the club bag a crucial victory at Wembley.
The forward may have been ruled offside for Hakim Ziyech’s disallowed first-half opener, but he made amends in the second-half to set up his teammate’s match-winning goal in a quick counter-attacking move.
19 – Timo Werner has been directly involved in 19 goals for Chelsea in all competitions this season (10 goals, 9 assists), three more than any other player for the Blues. Crucial. #FACup pic.twitter.com/QZnZJdGRxh
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 17, 2021
Perhaps what stood the most, however, was how Werner troubled City with his runs in from behind.
“It was a brilliant run from Werner and Ziyech just has to put it in the back of the net,” Shearer told the BBC.
“We said about Werner before the game, we highlighted some of the sitters he’s missed this season, but that’s why he was in the team today.
“That’s why he was asked to play on the last defender to run in behind because he knew City would struggle. Chelsea deserved it, they were the ones that created the chances.”
🗣 Timo Werner: "I have had more assists than goals, which is unusual for me.
"As long as it helps the team, it's fine!" [BBC Sport] pic.twitter.com/nwoZVZYU1u
— Goal (@goal) April 17, 2021
Former Chelsea left-back Cole added: “This is why I love the way Werner plays.
“He isolates people, he drops a little bit deeper, that decoy run, and then you get Ziyech running in behind in between the two center-backs.
“That caused Manchester City problems all day, to be honest.”
Chelsea will next welcome Brighton to Stamford Bridge for a Premier League match on Tuesday night.
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